How to Mail Something in One Day: Fast Delivery Options in Canada

If you need to mail something and get it there by tomorrow, you’re not alone. People rush to send contracts, birthday gifts, medical samples, or emergency parts all the time. The good news? In Canada, getting something delivered in one day is not only possible-it’s common. But not every post office or shipping service can do it. And not every package qualifies. Here’s exactly how to make it happen, without overpaying or wasting time.

Know Your Options: Who Delivers in One Day?

Not all courier services are created equal when it comes to speed. In Canada, the big players for next-day delivery are Canada Post’s Xpresspost, Purolator, FedEx Express, and UPS Express. Each has different rules for what qualifies, where they deliver, and how much it costs.

Canada Post Xpresspost is your best bet for affordable next-day delivery across Canada. It covers over 95% of Canadian addresses, including rural areas. If you drop off your package before 5 p.m. at a post office or authorized drop box, it’s guaranteed to arrive by 5 p.m. the next business day. No extra fees for residential delivery. It’s the most reliable option for small to medium packages under 30 kg.

Purolator is the go-to for businesses and e-commerce. They offer same-day and next-day delivery in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. If you’re shipping from downtown Toronto to downtown Mississauga, you can often get it delivered by 10 a.m. the next day if you book by 3 p.m. Purolator also handles fragile or high-value items better than most.

FedEx Express and UPS Express are your best choices if you’re shipping internationally or need tracking with minute-by-minute updates. Both offer overnight delivery within Canada, but their prices are higher than Canada Post or Purolator for domestic-only shipments. Use them if you need proof of delivery, signature confirmation, or if your recipient is a business that only accepts FedEx/UPS.

What Can You Send in One Day?

You can mail almost anything-paper documents, books, electronics, clothing, small appliances, even frozen food-if it meets weight and size rules. But some things are banned or restricted.

Canada Post, Purolator, FedEx, and UPS all prohibit:

• Explosives, flammable liquids, or gases
• Live animals (except certified service animals)
• Firearms and ammunition (without special permits)
• Drugs without proper documentation
• Counterfeit goods or pirated media

For perishables like food or medicine, you need insulated packaging and ice packs. Canada Post’s Xpresspost can handle refrigerated items if you use their approved cold chain packaging. Purolator offers temperature-controlled shipping for medical samples or pharmaceuticals, but you must book in advance.

Size matters too. Most one-day services cap packages at 30 kg (66 lbs) and 1.5 meters in combined length and girth. If your box is bigger than a small suitcase, you’ll need freight shipping-which takes longer.

How to Ship It: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to get your package out the door and on a next-day flight:

1. Package it right. Use a sturdy box or padded envelope. Don’t reuse old boxes unless they’re in perfect condition. Tape all seams with reinforced packing tape. For fragile items, wrap each object in bubble wrap and fill empty spaces with packing peanuts or crumpled paper.
2. Label clearly. Write the recipient’s full name, address, and phone number. Use a permanent marker. Add your return address too-this is required. If you’re shipping to a business, include the suite or floor number.
3. Choose your service. Go to the website of your chosen carrier (Canada Post, Purolator, etc.) and enter your origin and destination postal codes. Pick the next-day option. You’ll see the price and guaranteed delivery time.
4. Print your label. Pay online and print the shipping label. Some services let you schedule a pickup. Others require you to drop off at a location.
5. Drop it off before cutoff. This is critical. Canada Post’s cutoff is 5 p.m. Purolator is 3 p.m. for same-day processing. FedEx and UPS cutoffs vary by location but are usually between 3-5 p.m. Miss the cutoff, and your package waits until tomorrow.

Pro tip: Use a drop box if you’re running late. Many Canada Post locations have 24/7 drop boxes. Just make sure the label is securely attached and the package fits.

Costs: What to Expect to Pay

Next-day delivery isn’t cheap, but prices are transparent. Here’s what you’ll pay in November 2025 for a 1 kg package sent from Toronto to Vancouver:

Next-Day Delivery Costs (Toronto to Vancouver, 1 kg)

Service	Price	Delivery Time	Tracking
Canada Post Xpresspost	$34.99	Next business day by 5 p.m.	Yes
Purolator Express	$42.50	Next business day by 10 a.m. or 5 p.m.	Yes
FedEx Express Saver	$58.00	Next business day by 3 p.m.	Yes
UPS Express Saver	$55.75	Next business day by 5 p.m.	Yes

For heavier packages, prices jump fast. A 5 kg box to Vancouver costs about $85 with Xpresspost and $130+ with FedEx. If you’re shipping frequently, consider a business account. Purolator and FedEx offer discounts for regular shippers.

When You Can’t Get Next-Day Delivery

Sometimes, it’s just not possible. Here’s why:

• You’re shipping to a remote community like Iqaluit or Fort McMurray-delivery might take 2-3 days even with express services.
• You drop off after cutoff time. Even if it’s 5:01 p.m., your package goes on the next day’s truck.
• Your package is oversized or overweight. Anything over 30 kg or 1.5 meters requires freight, which doesn’t offer next-day service.
• It’s a holiday. Canada Post and most couriers don’t deliver on statutory holidays like Thanksgiving or Boxing Day. Plan ahead.
• The recipient’s address is incomplete or incorrect. A missing apartment number or wrong postal code can delay delivery by a full day.

If you’re shipping something time-sensitive and you’re not sure, call the carrier directly. Ask: “Will this package be delivered by 5 p.m. tomorrow if I drop it off now?” Get their answer in writing or note the rep’s name.

Pro Tips for Stress-Free Same-Day Shipping

- Book online. Online booking gives you the lowest rate. Walk-in prices are often 10-15% higher. - Use a tracking number. Save it. Text it to the recipient so they know when to expect it. - Don’t ship on Friday. If you need delivery Monday, ship on Thursday. Most services don’t deliver Saturday or Sunday. - For fragile items, choose Purolator or FedEx-they have better handling protocols than Canada Post. - For legal documents, use FedEx or UPS with signature confirmation. Canada Post doesn’t offer guaranteed signature on Xpresspost.

If you’re in Toronto and need to mail something today, head to a Canada Post Xpresspost location near Yonge-Dundas or the Eaton Centre. Drop it off before 4:45 p.m. and you’re golden. Most people don’t realize how simple it is-until they need it.